Joho the Blog
An Entry from the Archives

Stem-cell research is not a passion of white middle-aged pundits, nor of the organizations which fund them (pity, that last).

That the US is now being crippled in important basic biological research, because of the theocrat power over our government - I'd think this would get more play than it has. But I'm notoriously bad at politics.

Maybe somebody should remind the right wing theocrats that cloning is an excellent long term solution to the army recruiting problem. If you see an SEC filing for DragonsTooth Biomedical Research Incorporated, my advice is to take the investment plunge!

This issue may be a sleeper, if you check CNN's quick vote: 84% say federal stem cell research should be extended, only 16% say it should not, based on 37537 votes.

Admittedly not scientific!

As the Stem Cell Debate Heats Up in the Senate . . .
One Man Urges President Bush To “Walk a Mile in My Shoes”

Caretaker of Wife with Secondary Progressive Multiple Sclerosis Asks Fellow Caretakers and Patients To Send Their Heartfelt Notes (and an Old Pair of Shoes) as a Message to the White House!

(New York, NY) June 2, 2005 – In the past seven years, Eric Yaverbaum’s life has changed in ways that he never thought possible. As his wife’s Multiple Sclerosis progressed, he has started to consider things he never “saw” before, such as, why are some Doctors’ offices not handicapped-accessible? He has started to question everything he always took for granted, from his relationship with his children (What do I tell them?), to finances (How can anyone afford to provide for a chronically ill loved one?), to security (Why me? Why her? If I do my best – is it enough?), and politics (What are stem cells? And why should I care?).

As Yaverbaum and millions of other Americans, caretakers and patients alike, ask these questions – for the first time in his two terms, President Bush is threatening to exercise his veto on the bill that would expand public funding for stem cell research, a resource which suggests a potential cure for everything from Parkinson’s to Alzheimer’s and spinal cord injuries. If, like Nancy Reagan, Dana Reeves, or many lesser-known people, the President had to live with an illness in his home for a year or two, would he feel differently about this decision?

He won’t tell you about vacations. He won’t tell you about long walks on the beach with the love of his life. He won’t tell you about tomorrow. Twenty years after her diagnosis, Yaverbaum will tell you that the world is a strikingly different place -- and yet -- he will tell you how much more he likes the guy he sees in the mirror. He will tell you about the long, long list of people who help him at home so he can continue to earn a living. He will tell you how much he has grown from the experience of caring for his childhood sweetheart, best friend and mother of his children. And he will go on to tell you about his wife -- the only modern day heroine he has ever met.

Despite his mental and physical exhaustion, to Yaverbaum, his wife’s chronic illness was a blessing; he hopes to be exhausted for a very long time to come. “For years, so many wonderful well intentioned and supportive friends and visitors have come to our home to share in our experience and lives. But then they leave. My family spends seven days a week, 24 hours a day doing the very best we can to maintain a functioning, loving family unit. We’ve been doing it long enough now to know – until you “Walk a Mile” in our shoes – you cannot understand what it’s like.”

Therefore, Yaverbaum is asking his fellow caretakers, patients, and friends to send the White House a message. As Yaverbaum states, “We can’t have a ‘Million-Caretaker-Walk in Washington! We have to be home when we’re not working. But we can send the President a million pairs of our old shoes with an emotional and realistic note of what we do every single day. Maybe the volume of shoes or one of those notes might just sway his opinion? Could just one note make a difference?”

Please send all shoes and notes for President Bush to:

“Walk a Mile in My Shoes”
c/o Jericho Communications
304 Hudson Street, Suite 700
New York, New York 10013

Yaverbaum will deliver the notes to the White House and donate all the shoes to charity -- but not before making sure the White House sees them!

###

The stem cell debate is alive and well in New Jersey where we have a democracy, not a theocracy. The people in New Jersey see the many promises the research has to offer. So much so, an institute is soon to be built and legislation has been introduced to promote and fund the research. This will put NJ on the forefront of stem cell research for the east coast and the country.

I completely agree with Adam. As a resident of New Jersey, I am well aware of the steps the state is taking to advance stem cell research. In fact, $230 million would be spent for it if voted on by the voters in Novermber. This issue is crucial to not only the people of New Jersey, but to the people of the United States. While other countries have greatly surpassed us in this field, we are left behind, dragged down by politics and hysterics. I urge all New Jersey voters to support this legislation and hopefully the rest of the country can follow.

I completely agree with Adam. As a resident of New Jersey, I am well aware of the steps the state is taking to advance stem cell research. In fact, $230 million would be spent for it if voted on by the voters in November. This issue is crucial to not only the people of New Jersey, but to the people of the United States. While other countries have greatly surpassed us in this field, we are left behind, dragged down by politics and hysterics. I urge all New Jersey voters to support this legislation and hopefully the rest of the country can follow.

My husband has stage 4 pancreatic cancer. He could be one of those cured with use of stem cells. Why is this President so arrogant and uncaring that he would join the popular?? political forces in the face of death!!!!???????

My husband has stage 4 pancreatic cancer. He could be one of those cured with use of stem cells. Why is this President so arrogant and uncaring that he would join the popular?? political forces in the face of death!!!!???????